12 Days of Codfish event day 4
Crap. I am running out of material… anyway this is another set of explorers, written with my history notes.
I am still taking one more request, I really really need ideas. All I got so far is maybe six more people of the age of exploration and then WWII era. I am so screwed...
Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia or any historical figure…
1. Christopher Columbus
"João, you know as well as I do that the world is round. If I sail west, I might be able to reach Asia," next to my king I snorted, and Columbus looked at me warily. (disclaimer: any quote with this symbol:*, is a real quote. Everything else I made up. Also all facts in this are true.)
"Let me speak with my advisors. This voyage will be costly, and I would rather not waste money one something we have no evidence from," Columbus turned on his heel and walked off, possibly planning to go to Spain. My brother may not be as hesitant, as this voyage could bring enormous wealth if Columbus is correct.
Later I sign with my brother the Treaty of Todesillas, setting the line of Demarcation in Brazil. It ensures that I control the eastern colonies, while he controls the west.
I wonder what could have happened if Columbus worked for me. He almost did, after all. He used my maps after acquiring them in a marriage.
Would all of those places he acquired belong to me? Probably. Spain would never have defeated the Aztecs, the Mayans, and the Incans. But I loved Brazil. I also made sugar popular. Sure America would be in a better state than it is right now, but I brought back dozens of fruits and vegetables into Europe.
I am fine with my share. Spain becomes bankrupt several times due to inflation, while I market my sugar plantations in Brazil, later striking gold as well. I have blood on my hands, but Spain gushes. The Conquistador in him thrives in those days.
2. Ferdinand Magellan
One of my controversial citizens, some label him as a hero, others a traitor. He worked for me originally, but fell out of favor with the king. So, like Columbus, he went to Spain. Ironic, isn't it, how the ones I dismiss always end up working for my brother.
His ships managed to sail the world, but only one ship survived out of five. Eighteen men returned, but without Magellan. Magellan died in the Philippines, after involving himself with local politics and got shot in the leg with a poison arrow. He is credited with being the first to circumnavigate the globe, yet he did not survive the process.
I am perfectly fine with not financing his voyage. All he managed to prove was America was right in building that canal in Panama. But I will still give him the credit he deserves as my citizen.
One of my headcanons is that Maria met Magellan and warned him of the risks of going on this trip, but was unable to stop him. One of her regrets is not doing more.
The other headcanon I may occasionally write is that Maria wields a bread shovel. That is a reference to the baker-woman of Aljubarrota who was said to have six fingers on each hand and killed eight Castilians who were hiding in her bakery with her Bread shovel. Go girl power!
Unfortunately I kind of had to include Columbus. I hate it when people say he discovered America (he just discovered an island! not even the mainland!) but I can't deny Portugal not having at least some thoughts on him. My textbook disagrees with me on him (goddamn I'm referring to it like it's a person) but at least it has plenty of information on him.